Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) officials with award winners, from left to right: Shawn Branch, Project Coordinator, TEDCO; Robbie Melton, Director, Entrepreneurial Innovation, TEDCO; Charlotte Ducksworth, Director, Prince George's County Small Business Initiative & Technology Assistance Center; Philip Bogart, Esq., Saul Ewing LLP; Charles Iheagwara, Director of Cyber Security Practice, Unatek, Inc.; Robert Rosenbaum, President, TEDCO. TEDCO is a sponsor of the Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of TEDCO.

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Technology Development Corp., RSM McGladrey Inc. and Saul Ewing LLP have announced the winners of the 11th annual Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards.

Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) officials with award winners, from left to right: Shawn Branch, Project Coordinator, TEDCO; Robbie Melton, Director, Entrepreneurial Innovation, TEDCO; Charlotte Ducksworth, Director, Prince George's County Small Business Initiative & Technology Assistance Center; Philip Bogart, Esq., Saul Ewing LLP; Charles Iheagwara, Director of Cyber Security Practice, Unatek, Inc.; Robert Rosenbaum, President, TEDCO. TEDCO is a sponsor of the Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of TEDCO.

The ceremony was held Thursday at the Center Club. The awards, chosen by a selection committee comprising venture capitalists, and government and business leaders, recognized the achievements of eight companies in Maryland's incubators.

The winning companies were selected based on the organization's goals and success in achieving its objectives. Judges considered factors such as technology and product development; intellectual property; increase in employee numbers; growth in revenue or earnings; engagement of significant customers and strategic partners; receipt of awards or grants; attraction of outside investors; innovation; self-sufficiency; impact on the region and usage of the incubator's services.

"Having supported many of these companies and entrepreneurs through early-stage funding and grants, Tedco is proud of their success thus far," Rob Rosenbaum, president and executive director of Tedco, said in a statement.

Unatek Inc. from Largo's Technology Assistance Center was named "Homeland Security Company of the Year." Unatek is an information technology consulting firm with an established niche as a market leader in cyber security solutions.

Other award recipients includes WellDoc, UR Solar Power LLC, kloudtrack, CosmosID, StraighterLine, SITEC Consulting and Bartron Medical Imaging Inc.

WellDoc was named "Graduate Company of the Year," after graduating from Baltimore's Emerging Technology Center. The company developed a technology-based solution that helps people with chronic diseases better manage their conditions.

The award for the most green company of the year went to UR Solar Power LLC, from Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. in Frederick. UR Solar Power develops, implements and manages residential solar programs for utilities and national retailers.

"Information Technology Company of the Year" went to kloudtrack from Chesapeake Innovation Center in Annapolis. Kloudtrack is a technology company that offers "Software-as-a-Service" and cloud computing capabilities.

"Life Sciences Company of the Year" went to CosmosID, from the Technology Advancement Program in College Park. The biosystematics company develops methods and a process called "Cloud Sequencing," which delivers pathogen identification in a single, rapid and accurate test.

StraighterLine from the Emerging Technology Center in Baltimore was named "New Company of the Year." StraighterLine offers online freshman-level college courses. Students who complete the courses receive credit when they enroll with any college belonging to StraighterLine's network of regionally accredited partner colleges and universities.

SITEC Consulting from the NeoTech Incubator in Columbia was named "Technology Service Company of the Year" for providing customers with business process automation services for federal and commercial markets.

"Technology Transfer Company of the Year" went to Bartron Medical Imaging Inc., based in Largo's Technology Assistance Center. The biotechnology medical device manufacturer focuses on software development, research and development using a technology licensed from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Maryland India Business Roundtable has selected Unatek's CTO, Dr. Charles Iheagwara as one of the 13 Marylanders who made significant contributions in their industry in 2007. The award was presented at the 3rd Annual Gala Dinner of the Maryland India Business Roundtable (MIBRT) which was held on the 27th of November, 2007 at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt. Maryland. Thirteen other awards were given in different categories. MIBRT is an economic development organization between the State of Maryland, Maryland Counties and the Indian Chamber of Commerce.